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Wash : You are best to machine wash them at 30-40C using a detergent with an AOB (activated oxygen bleach) product, advised professor Sally Bloomfield, consultant in Hygiene and Infectious Disease Prevention. And if a family member is ill then you are best to wash them at 60C, or add an anti-bacterial product such as Napisan, or Dettol’s Anti-bacterial Laundry Cleanser.

Pyjamas

Pyjamas (Image: Getty Images)

A recent survey has found that the average 18-30 year-old man wears the same pyjamas for almost two weeks (13 nights) and young women wear them for 17 nights before sticking them in the wash.

Another YouGov survey said young women are more likely to wear both PJs and underwear (50 percent) than older women, whereas only 20 percent of young men would do the same.

And wearing underwear with pyjamas could help some nasty bacteria thrive, reports Kent Live .

Professor Bloomfield added: “Pyjamas are worn right next to the skin – and we shed skin cells, filled with micro-organisms, at a vast rate.

“These organisms are usually harmless but if they get into the wrong place they can cause problems.”

For example, E-coli bacteria transferring from the bowel to the urinary tract can cause cystitis.

Change: It’s best to wear them only twice, or for no more than one week

Wash: Machine wash the same way as your underwear.

Dishcloths

Several kitchen towels (Image: Getty Images)

Nine out of 10 UK dishcloths were found to be heavily contaminated with bacteria, and more than half had E-Coli, according to a Dettol study.

Used dishcloths have been found to contain up to four billion living germs, which is six times as much bacteria as toilet handles.

Change : Dishcloths should be rinsed thoroughly and air-dried after every use. They should not be draped over kitchen taps or left in bacteria-ridden kitchen sinks. And they should be replaced monthly.

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Change : Bath towels should be washed after every three uses, according to Philip Tierno, a New York based microbiologist.

Wash : Towels should be washed at 60C or higher, ideally with an anti-bacterial product.

Bedsheets

Mother and baby son making bed (Image: Getty Images)

A recent YouGov poll said more than a third of Brits wash their bedsheets once a fortnight.

But warm, moist environments are ideal breeding grounds for dust mites, with the average bed containing 10 million of them. And their faeces can trigger allergic reactions.

“Beds can become reservoirs of human cells, bacteria and bodily excretions. Humans shed half an ounce of skin each week – and a lot of that will be in the bed,” said Dr Ackerley of the University of Salford.

Change : Once a week. And every morning the duvet should be pulled back and windows opened to release moisture and humidity.

Wash : At 60C to kill mites.

Duvets and pillows

Fresh pillows and sheets (Image: Getty Images)

Reportedly, a third of the weight of a two-year-old pillow is made up of dust mite faeces and dead skin.

“Duvets can harbour live and dead dust mites, skin scales and fungus, which can lead to allergies such as rhinitis and infections such as conjunctivitis,” according to Johnson Cleaners.

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Change : “Duvets should be washed every few months – or at least twice a year,” says Sara Wadsworth from The Fine Bedding Company. They should be replaced every five years while pillows should be replaced every two or three years.

Wash : If the duvet is made up of synthetic filling, wash it at 60C to kill dust mites. Duvets and pillows with feather fillings need to be professionally dry cleaned.

Toothbrushes

Woman brushing teeth (Image: Getty Images)

Dr Uchenna Okoye, clinical director of London Smiling Dental Group, said: “The average toothbrush contains around 10 million germs – from bacteria to the flu virus.

“Even potentially fatal viruses, such as Hepatitis C, have been found on the humble brush, so sharing brushes is a big no-no.”

Change : Toothbrush heads need to be changed every three months, or after you have been ill.

Wash : After every use, rinse the bristles thoroughly then shake dry. Then stand them upright so that they air dry. Manual or electric toothbrush heads should be put in the dishwasher once a month or soaked for five minutes in boiling water.